Monday, August 1, 2016

Am I Ready to Live in Florida?

Debbie and I were in Florida
tending to my aunt’s estate.The weather
was hot and humid…OK, not much different from back home.My aunt’s condo is a large three-bedroom home,
with a parking space right outside the door.This is a big enough living space to be very comfortable (no room for
the band though).My aunt chose a great
community, everyone was friendly and they have many great social activities
planned every month.For someone that
could not sit still, she chose well.

Coming from the New York area,
life is quick paced.Walking to and from
the subway, it is easy to identify the tourists (sorry, but this is true).We recently saw on an episode of Chopped, the
final two competitors, one from New York and one from California.The judges commented on the focus of the
chefs, the one from California moved slower and laid back, while the one from
New York moved quicker and was accomplishing more things in the same time.This encapsulated the differences between the
coasts.However, I realize, by watching
my own father that the older you become, the slower you move – that is a fact
(for most people) of aging.Coupled with
a more relaxed southern environment, as one ages, the pace works.However, at this point in my life, this pace
is a hard adjustment.

Let me share one example (yes,
there are more) and that was going to the movies.We went to a 23-screen theater.As we walked up, there were two short ticket
lines, one with about four people in line and one with only a couple.Naturally, we took the shorter line.First, there were hellos from the couple, not
to us, but to the lady behind the glass.Next, there was a discussion about the ticket prices (clearly
posted).Next, the man took out all of
his money and began to rearrange and sort them…still no movie selected or payment
occurred.They pick a movie and then
have a discussion on the different times showing.Finally, he hands the money to the lady
behind the glass.I cannot believe this.
The ticket person double counts the
change slowly, then hands the change back.“Wait,” says the man, “One more thing.”I cannot image what the one more thing is…and, as it happens, would
never guess it.He proceeds to take out
his comb and takes three minutes to comb his hair in the reflection of the
glass.I am seething inside and Debbie
is standing behind me laughing away.My
ticket transaction took less time than the hair combing.Onto the concession line, where there are
four buyers ahead of us.There are three
people behind the counter to service the line.After a five-second discussion on what we wanted, Debbie heads off to
the bathroom.I notice that there is a
couple towards the right side of the counter having a discussion with the
seller…no concession items in front of them.Debbie comes back; only one new customer moved up…I might be missing the
beginning of the movie.The couple, on
the right, finally ordered one frosty looking drink and now is deciding on item
number two.They are calling for the
next person in line, but they are not paying attention. I am trying to stay
calm…”They sell beer here, do you need one to relax,” Debbie asks.Finally, after 15 minutes waiting in line, it
is our turn, we step up and I give my order.The popcorn is being hand loaded by a small scoop.I ask for extra salt and Debbie asks for
butter on the side.The response is a
confused look.

I am not ready for Florida!I like to visit Florida.I like to vacation in Florida.But for now, I am not moving to Florida.When the day comes that I move at a slower
pace, when I am in no rush, and when my one or two activities are my ENTIRE
day, I will think about the move to Florida.I do not think that I suffer from a Peter Pan complex, but it is still
good to think, feel and act young.There
might become a time in my life where the move will fit our life style,
including the people and the family around us.But for now, we are staying in New Jersey.